Sound record groove finder



Feb. 9, 1932.

B. Y. PERKINS ET AL SOUND RECORD GROOVE FINDER Filed June 11, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l atto/mugs Feb- 9, 1932. B. Y. PERKINS ET AL 1,844,137

SOUND RECORD GROOVE FINDER Y Filed June ll, 1930 3 Sheets-Shen??j 2 j WIE! 1f -'nllllllllllllII-m 24 Feb. 9, 1932. B. Y. PERKINS ET AL 1,844,137

SOUNDA RECORD GROOVE FINDER Filed June ll, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 v @GWW am? s LLS Patented Feb. 9, 1932 tanni BARNEY Y. PERKINS, BURT T. WELLBOIt-N,

AND RICHARD W. STARKE, OF ATLANTA,

GEORGIA, ASSIGNOBS TO BUTTERS LIANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ATLANTA, A

GEORGIA, A CORPORATION GF GEORGIA SOUND RECORD GROOVE FINDER Application inea June 11,

For causing sound and vocal eiects in connection with the display of motion pictures gramophone equipment is used in which a table for supporting and operating a sound record is rotated in timed relation to the movement oi the film and a tone arm cooperates with the sound record in the usual manner. The record is of the disc type and the needle carried by the tone arm operates in the spiral grooves of the record,y such grooves being utilized to move or feed the tone arm across the record.

Heavy vibrations in the building or in the projecting room, such as might be caused by heavily laden trucks passing along the streets, surface or subway cars, or i'rom some other sources common in cities, are apt to jar the needle from the groove in which it normally operates. llien this occurs the picture and the sound or vocal eiiects are out ot synchronism and the exhibition, of course, is unintelligible. Heretofore it has been necessary to interrupt the exhibition and start the iilm and the sound record at the beginning i again. This occasions serious loss, delay and dissatisfaction.

The present invention, which may be brieiy designated as a, sound record groove finder, proposes simple and practical mechanism operated in connection with the record whereby in the event of the sound needle being jarred from the groove in which it normally operates such needle may be restored to the proper groove in a moment or two ottime, thereby restoring the exact synchronization of the iilm and the sound or vocal effects and avoiding all interruption of the exhibition.-

In general the invention contemplates an element positively driven in timed relation toV the movement of the record and which is caused positively to follow or track with the grooves of the record, which gives a clear and certain indication ot the particular groove required for engagement by the sound needle at any moment in order to insure and maintain the synchronization of the iilm and the sound or vocal eects and which enables the placing of the needle in such groove in a moment or two of time and without any i930. serial ivo. 460,465.

interruption in the operation of the record or the nlm.

An embodiment ofthe invention is illus- Vtrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Figure l is a top plan view showing the groove iinder in operative relation to a disc record and tone arm. I

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same with parts shown in section.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 or" Fig. l. j

Figure l is a sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is an end elevation'oig the groove finder in operative relation to a disc record and tone arm. -V

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view on the line 7-7 .of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view -on the line 88 ofFigure 6. y

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view `ofthe means for securing lthe groove finding pointer.

Figure l0 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 10-10 of Figure 8.

Figure ll is a sectional view on the line ll-ll of Figure 6. f'

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view of the chuck by which the operating Worm is con'- nected to the central post of the record supporting table. v

F igure-i is a detail sectional view on the line 13-'13 of Figure l0.

Figure le is a detail plan view of the guide-sleeve for the adjusting rod by which the drive ot the groove finding needle is controlled.

The gramophone equipment herein illustrated is of well known construction and includes the usual table A (Fig. 2) for the support or a record B, the table being driven in timed relation tothe lilm and arranged above a supporting pedestal C upon which is mounted a rotatably adjustable collar D earryiiig a bracket E which supports the toneV arm F, the latter being provided with the usual needle G for engagement with the record.

The principal elements of the mechanism of the present invention are mounted in a rectangular frame 1 which is supported over the record and is provided at its 'outer end with depending lugs 2 (Fig. 2) by which it is pivoted as at 3 to a supporting arm 4. Since the operative relation ot the groove finding element to the tone arm must be maintained in any position in which the tone arm may be set with reference to the pedestal C as an axis, the arm 4 is connected to the same element to which the tone arm is connected, that is to say, the rotatably adjustable collar D, the connection ot the tone arm to said collar for support thereby being eiiected by U-bolts 5 in co-operation with a saddle piece 6 at the lower end of the arm 4. The groove iinder includes an operating shaft 7 (Fig. 6) having bearings in the end barsV of the iframe 1. The shaft 7 projects beyond the inner` end of said frame and carries at its inner end a gear element 8 by which it is normally driven. For the operation of the groove finder the weight 9 by which the record is pressed against the table A is of special form for co-operation with the gear element 8. shown and preferred such weight .is .formed with a peripheral worm 10 for engagement with the element 8, the latter being in the form of a spira-l pinion.

In order to provide for the removal and replacement ot the record the frame 1 is mounted to be swung laterally as shown in broken lines in Figure 1,V thereby to disengage the pinion 8 from the worm 10 and also to be swung upward as indicated in broken lines in Figure 2. The frame 1 is directly vconnected to a supporting post 11 (Fig. 5)

which fits between the lugs 2 and through which the pivot pin 3 extends. rlihe post 11 has a depending journal extension 12 (Fig.

V2) which is rotatably litted in a cylindrical sleeve 13 formed or provided at the upper end of the arm 4. The journal extension 12 rests against a supporting screw 1 4 threaded through a plate 15 screwed to the lowcrend of the sleeve 13, a suitable stepl bearing 16 being provided between the lower end of the journal extension 12 and the screw 14.

The object of supporting the postv 11 by the screw 14 is to enable said post, and therewith the groove finder, to be set at an elevation appropriate to the thickness of the particular sound record, such thickness varying in diterent cases. When such setting has been made the screw 14 is Xed by means of a lock nut 17 which bears against the plate 15.

1n order normally to maintain the engage- Vment of the pinion 8 with the worm 10 the arm 4 is provided with a spring loaded plunger 18 (Fig. 4) which projects through an opening in the sleeve 13 and normally presses against a shoulder 19 provided by an angular recess 2() which is formed in the peripheral surface oi the journal extension 12, the recess 20 being ot suitable depth to provide for the engagement of the plunger 18 against the shoulder 19 in any position at which the journal extension 12 may be set by the adjustment of the supporting screw 14. The plunger 18 and its loading spring are carried by a cylindrical casing 21 from the inner end ol which said'plunger projects. The casing 21 is eX- ternally threaded and is fitted in a bracket 22 suitably secured to the arm 4, said bracket cooperating with said casing as a nut and the casing being provided at its outer end with a knurled head 23 by which it may be adjusted in 'order to `regulate the tension of the loading spring for the operation of the plunger 18. By virtue ot the engagement of the plunger 18 against the shoulder 19 the trame 1 will be normally held in a position wherein lthe pinion 8 has suitable engagement with "n the worm 10. lVhen it is desired to remove the record from the table the frame 1 is first swung laterally outward against the pressure opposed by the plunger 18 and said frame is then raised about the pivot yto a vertical position in which the normally vertical out er edges of the lugs 2 bear uniformly upon a supporting flange or collar 24 formed or provided at the lower end of the supporting post 11. The frame 1 thereby remains in an upright position, permitting the removal of the record and the positioning of another record on the table A, after which the frame 1 is lowered about the pivot 3 and then swung inward until the pinion 8 engages the worm 10, such engagement being maintained by the plunger l18 as above explained.

The weight 9 is preferably coupled to the post a. by which the record is centered upon the table A, such post rotating with the table. For this purpose the weight 9 is provided with a central hollow boss 25 (Figs. 3 and 12) within which is slidingly fitted a chuck 26 having spring jaws27. The jaws 27 tend to spring outward and are formed at their lower ends with external cam surfaces 28 for engagement with conforming cam*V surfaces 29 formed along the central opening of the boss 25. provided with an upwardly extending stem 30 which projects through an opening in a cap` 31 secured to the upper end of the boss 25. The chuck is normally pressed downward by a spring 32 arranged within the boss 25 and bearing at its lower end against a colvlar 33 resting on a shoulder on the chuck and at its upper end'against the cap 31. Above the cap the stein 30 is pivoted toa cam 34 having an operating handle 35, the cam having ai recess into which the stern- 30 projects. The cani 34 bears against the cap 31 and when the handle 35 is pushed. down the cani 34 by its reaction against said cap raises the chuck 26 whereby the spring jaws 27 are caused by The chuck 26 is t use at the time. Accordingly, the operation the co-operation of the cam surfaces 28 and 29 to engage tightly with and upon the post a. In this way the weight 9 is effectively coupled to said post to be driven therefrom. WThen it is desir-ed to remove a record B from the table A the handle is raised and the spring pushes the chuck 26 downward and effects its disengagement from the post a. The frame l having been moved to the upright position previously described with resultant disengagement of the pinion 8 from the worm 10, the weight 9 may now be lifted from the record` thus permitting the latter to be removed. Then another record has been placed upon the table and centered over the post a, the weight 9 is replaced, its chuck 26 being fitted over the post a and engaged therewith by moving the handle 35 to its lower position.

The groove finding element, to be later described in detail, is moved lengthwise of the frame 1 by a suitable carriage 36. Inasmuch as the number of grooves per inch is different in different makes of records, being 86 per inch in records of certain makes and 92 per inch in records of other makes, provision is ina-de for operating the carriage 36 ata rate which will correspond to the number of grooves per inch of the particular record in of the carriage 36 may be derived either from the operating shaft 7 or from a countershaft 37 (Fig. 6). The shafts 7 and 37 are formed within the frame l with screw threads 38 and 39, respectively, of appropriate extent, the screw threads of the shaft 7 being` of a pitch corresponding to 86 grooves per inch in the sound record and the screw threads of the shaft 37 being of a pitch corresponding to 92V grooves per inch in the sound record. The shaft 37 is driven from the shaft 7 to which it 4is suitably geared, the gearing (Figs. 6 and 11) being arranged atthe outer end of the frame 1 and consisting of spur gears 40 and 41 on the shafts 7 and 37, respectively, and an intermediate spur gear 42 engaging the gears and 41 and mounted on a shortshaft 43 which is journalled in and projects beyondY the adjacent end bar of the frame 1, the shaft 43 having a knurled hand grip 44 for a pur- The carriage 36 lits .48 whose peripheral portions conform to and engage in the grooves 47, the latter thereby functioning as guides for the carriage. rlhe side plates 45 are also formed with rectangular openings 49, in which are set laterally adjustable blocks and 51 (Fig. 8) these being for cooperation respectively with the shafts i and-37. The blocks 50 and 51 have a fairly carriage 36, said blocks extending through n longitudinal slots 1a in the respective side bars of theframe 1.

The blocks 50 and 51 have their inner faces formed with threads 52 and 53 which extend I through arcs not exceeding half circles. The block 5() is for engagement by means of its threads 52 with the'shaft 7 and the block 51 l is for engagement by means of` its threads 53 with sha ft 37. The construction is such that when the block 50 is engaged with the shaft 7 the block 51 is disengaged from` the shaft 37 and vice versa. ln order conveniently to effect this relation the blocks 50 and 51 are secured to the ends of a laterally adjustable transverse bar 54 which is slidably mounted in a sleeve 55 formed with `or otherwise provided at the upper side of the plate 46. The bar 54 is provided with a centrally located operating knob 56, the shank of which projects through a slot 57 inthe sleeve 55, said slot having at its ends angular extensions 58 and 59 respectively (F ig. 14). The bar 54 is rotatably connected to the blocks 50 and 51 whereby it may be turned. about its axis. When the bar 54 is positioned with the shank of its knob 56 in the extension 58 the block 50 is held engaged with the shaft 7 and the block 51 is held disengaged from the shaft 37; and

when the bar 54 is positioned with the shank of its knob 56 in the extension 59 the block 51 is held engaged with the shaft 37 andl the block 50 is held disengaged from the shaft 7. lnthis way the carriage 36 may be coupled to either of the shafts 7 or 37 accordingly as rate of movement of said carriage is to be for a record having 86 grooves to the inch or for a record having 92 grooves to the inch.

The frame 1 is preferably formed or provided with a cover plate 60 to protect the "threaded shafts 7 and 37 from dust and the gears 40, 41 and 42 are, for a like purpose, preferably enclosed in a casing 61 securedto `the adjacent endbar 'of the frame 1, the hand grip 44 being. located externally ofthe casing 61. I

The grooveiinding element may be of varir ous forms.v 1t is, however, conveniently in the form of a needle-like pointer 62 projecting from a transversely movable slide plate 63 (Figs. 1, 8, 10 and 13) supported by the carriage 36. The slide plate 63 is held in operav tive Vrelation to said carriage and vis also guided in itstransverse movement by rollers 64 mounted on stems 65 secured to and proliecting below the plates 45 at the ends thereof, the rollers 64 having peripheral portions of V-shaped cross section which'engage conformably in V-shaped grooves 65a formed in the side edges of the slide plate 63. The

sha-nk of the pointer 62 is inserted through a diametrical opening 66 in ascrew 67 having av lower headV 68 adjoining the opening 66. The screw 67 projects t-hrough an opening in saidV slide plate and. at the upper side of said slideplate carries a clamping nut 69 by which the head 68 may be drawntightly against the under side of the slide plate 63 to secure the pointer 62; It isl obvious that by this arrangement the pointer 62 may also be set to project at any angle which may be desired or which maybe requiredin a particular case.

- It is necessary to the satisfactory operation and use ofthe pointer 62 for its intended purpose that said pointer iniits movement over the record follow an arc taken from'the axis of the tone arm and hence concentric to the arc followed by the sound needle. For this purpose a horizontal plate 7 O is suitably supported from and below the frame 1, as by attachment at one end to a post 73 carried by and projecting laterally from one of the lugs 2, the plate 63 being arranged between the plate 70 and said frame. The plate 7 O projects at one side beyond the frame 1 and is formed with a slot 71 of an extent to enconipass all of the record surfaces in connection with which the groove finder may be enr ployed. The slot 71 is of such curvature and the plate 70 is so positioned that said slot is concentric to thearc described by the sound needle in its movement across the record. The slide plate 63 is provided on its lower side with a guide pin or roller 72 which is located in and peripherally engages the sides of the slot 71. It follows that as the carriage 36 moves along the frame 1 in consequence of its operation by either of the shafts 7 or 37 the position of the slide plate 63 will be progiessivel altered by the slot 71 which acts on the slide plate 63 through the guide piece 72. In this way the movement of the pointer 62 is caused to conform to the arc described by the sound needle in its movement across the surface of the record.

The carriage 36 is initially positioned to set the pointer 62 over the first sound groove of the record and for such `initial position of said carriage provision is made for its manual adjustment by a free slidinginovement along the frame 1 and also for its adjustment by a manual operation of either the shaft 7 or 37 as the case may be, the free movement of the carriage along the Vframe providing a. coarse adjustinent and the movement of the carriage by the inanual'operation of either of the shafts 1 or 37 providing a ne adjustment. f

To enable the fine adjustment of the car- -i'iage 36 it is necessary that the shaft 7 be disconnected, operatively, from the pinion 8. For this purpose said pinion is loosely mounted on the end of' said shaft and has its hub formed for engaging cooperation with a friction clutch element 74 (Figs. 6 and 7) slidably' keyed to said shaft. The clutch member 74 is formed with an axial hub-like extension sleeve l75 in which is arranged a spring 76 for pressing the clutch member 74 into engagement with the hub of the pinion 8. The spring 76 bears at its end remote from the clutch element 74 against a collar 77 secured to the shaft 7. The adjacent end of the sleeve 75 is provided with an annular shoulder 78. For effecting the engagement or disengagement of the clutch element 74 relatively to the hub of the pinion 8 a short vertical adjusting shaft 79 is preferably employed. The shaft 79 is journalled in a bracket 8O secured upon the adjacent end of the frame 1 and is provided at its lower end with a. depending eccentric pin 81 which engages against the shoulder 78 and at its upper end with a knurled finger piece 82.

When it is desired to effect the coarse adjustment of the pointer 62 the knob 56 is brought to a middle position in tne slot 57 (Fig. 14) and thereby moves the bar 54 to a position in vwhich the blocks 50 and 51 are both disengaged from their companion shafts 7 and 37. At such time the carriage 36 may be freely slid along the frame 1 to a position in which the pointer 62 is close to the first sound groove of the record. In order` to secure the required exactness in the initial position of the pointer 62 the knob 56 is now operated to engage either of the blocks 50 and 51 with the corresponding shaft 7 or 37 as the case may be and the clutch element 74 is disengaged from the hub of the pinion 8 by the manipulation of the shaft 79. At such time the shaft 7 will run free of the pinion 8. By means of the hand grip 44 the gear 42 is turned in the appropriate direction and through the gearsV 40 and 41 operates the shafts 7 and 37, one of which, according to its engagement by corresponding block 50 or 51, will effect the movement of the carriage and thus carry out the fine adjustment required for the accurate positioning of the pointer 62. l/Vhen such fine adjustment has been completed the shaft 79 is manipulated to re-engage the clutch element 74 with the -pinion 8, thereby to cause the shaft 7 to be driven by saidpinion with resultant move- Vment of the carriage 36 and, pointer 62 in timed relation to the record.

Sound records intended for use in connection with motion picture projecting machines are provided with one or more blank grooves by which the sound needle is brought to the starting point and these starting grooves may either be of the saine pitch as the sound grooves or of greater pitch. In any case, the number' of starting grooves is marked on the .record or otherwise made known to the operator and the starting point, that is to say the point at which the sound grooves commence is definitely marked on the record, usually by means of an arrow which is shown in Fig. 1 at Assuming, then,` that the yrecord herein shown has one complete starting groove, the sound needle is placed in such fot' the record is stopped. The pointer 62 is thereupon setposition in which its end is dneetly over the first sound groove and in `close juxtaposition to the sound needle. Such setting oi the pointer 62 is obtained by means or" the above described coarse and line adjustments et' the carriage To promote convenience in thus setting the pointer 62 a magnifying lens may be employed, said lens being fitted in a holder 83 having a sight opening Sel and the lens holder being pivotally mounted as at 85 upon the upper end of an upright post 86 carried by theslide plate 63. By reason ot' its pivotal mountingthe lens holder may be swung horizontally to any position requirec., in accordance with the particular project, for enahling theend of said pointer to be viewed .through the sight opening 84:.

The pointer 62 having thus been initially "f set with its end substantially'coinciding with the starting point ci the sound grooves of the record and lying directly over the first sound groove at a point close to the sound needle und very slightly in advance of the engraved surface or sz groove, the equipment is novr ready for use. in the playing of the record the pointer 62 will move across the sound grooves in exactly timed relation to the movement ot the record and its movement will also be in an'arc which will conform exactly to the arc of the sound needle as taken from the pivot ofthe tone arm. Se long as t-he sound needle operates in the proper groove the pointer 62 will at all times exactly track with said needle. lf, however, the sound needle should be jarred from its proper or normal groove to one side or the other the pointer 62 willL continue to track with the grooves of the -j record in timed relation to the movement of the rec rdand hence it will be available visually to indicate the particular groove at which the music or vocal eects of the record will synchronize with the lilm. Therefore,

when the sound needle is jarred from its proper operating position it may be almost instantly restored to proper operating position by placing it in the groove with which the pointer 62 tracks, such placement of the sound needle being facilitated by viewing the end of the pointer 52 and the corresponding groove of the record through the sight opening Thus viewing the end orp the pointer 62 and the corresponding record groove through said sight opening, the sound needle may be quickly and certainly placed in such groove and the synchronization of the music or vocal effects of the record with the film, interrupted by the dislodgement ol the sound angle at which the pointer 62 mayv needle, restored with ease and certainty in a moment or two of time.

The pointer 62 is to be understood as simply one of a number of available mediums or devices for indicating the particular sound groove in which the sound needle is to operate any moment during the operation of the record. it will be understood that various other mechanical devices which will Serve the purposes in view may be employed.

Having fully described our invention, We claim: i

l. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon Whichsaid disk rests and a tone arm having` a sound needle operating' in said grooves, ot' a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement ot the disk and means for causing the groove lindino' element in its movement with the'carriage to follow a path concentric to the path of the sound needle across the disk, said groove finding element being operative to indicate at any moment of the operation of the record the groove required to be engaged by the sound needle in order that the pla-ying of the record at any moment may be in the order of normal'sequence. Y

2. The combination ofa sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said diskrests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a carriage provided with` a groove linding element in the formof aV pointer overlying the grooved surface of the record and terminating in proximity to said needle during the operation of the record, a support upon which the carriagevismounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement oic the disk and means for causing the groove finding element in its movement with the carriage to follow a path concentric to the path of the sound needle across the disk, said groove linding element being operative to indicate at any moment of the operation o the record the groove required to be engaged by the sound needle in order that the playing of the record at any moment may be in the order of normal sequence.

3. rlhe combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, a tone arm having a'sound needle operating in said grooves and a body supported centrally on said disk and rotated therewith, of a carriage provided with a groove finding' element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and including a gear element, a co-operating gear elesev Vconcentric to the path of the sound needle across the disk, said groove finding element being operative to indicate at any moment of the operation of the record theA groove required tobe engaged by the sound needle in order that the playing of the record at any moment may be inV the order .of normal sequence.

4. The combination of al sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves and a body supported centrally on said disk and rotated therewith, of a carriage provided with a Groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is'mounted for movement lacross the disk, mechanismfor moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and including a gear element a. (3o-operating gear element engaging with said first gear element and provided upon said body, means for causing the groove finding element inrits movement with the carriage to follow a path concentric to the path of the sound needle across the disk, said groove finding element being operative to indicate at anymoment of the operation of the record the groove required tobe engaged by the sound needle in order that the playing of the recordat any7 moment may be in the order of normal sequence, a

bracket upon which the carriage support is mounted for horizontal swinging movement and normally acting yieldable means for urging the carriage supportto a position in which said first named gear element engages said second named gear element, said carriage support being movable against the influence of said yieldable means to effect the disen-V gagement of said gear elements.

5. The vcombination of a sound record disk provided with th-e usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which the disk rests, a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said groove anda body supported centrally on said disk and rotated therewith, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movementY across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and including a gear element` a co-operating gear element engaging ywith said first gear element and provided upon said body, means for causing the groove finding element in its movement with the carriage to follow a path concentric to the path of the sound needle across the disk, said groove finding element being operative to indicate at any moment of the operation of the record the groove required to be engaged by the sound needle in order that the playing of the record at any moment may be in the order of normal sequence, the carriage support being movably munted and means no1'- mally operative to hold the carriage support in a position in which said gear elements are engaged, said means being operative to permit the movement of the carriage support to e'ect the disengagement of said gear elements.

6. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk iests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk, means operableat will for disconnecting the carriage from said mechanism whereby the carriage may be moved manually across the disk, and means for causing the groove finding element in its movement with the carriage to follow a path concentric to the path of thesound needle across the disk, said groove finding element being operative to indicate at any moment of the operation of the record the groove to be engaged by the sound needle in order that the playing of the record at any moment may be in the order of normal sequence.

7. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves and a body supported centrally on said disk and rotated therewith, of a carria-ge provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to. the movement of the disk and including an operating shaft journalled in the carriage support and provided with a gear element, a co-opera-ting gear element engaging with said first gear element and provided upon said body, said first gear element being loose on said shaft, manually operated clutch means for connecting or disconnecting said shaft relative to said first gear element, and manually operated means for operating said shaft when said first gear element is in disconnected relation to said shaft.

8. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said groove and a body supported centrally on said disk and rotated therewith, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and including an operating shaft j ournalled in the carriage support and provided with a gear element, a co-operating gear element engaging With said first gear element and provided upon said body, said first gear element being loose on said shaft, manually operated clutch means for connecting or disconnecting said shaft relative to said first gear element,

manually operated means for operating said shaft when said first gear element is in disconnected relation to said shaft, and means operable at will for disconnecting the carriage from said mechanism whereby the carriage may be moved manually across the disk.

9. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and means for causing the groove finding element in its movement with the carriage to follow a path uniformly spaced at all points from the path of the sound needle across the disk, said groove finding element being; operative to indicate any moment of the operation of the record the groove required to be engaged by the sound needle in order that the playing of the record at any moment may be in the order of normal sequence.

l0. The combination of a sound record disk provided With the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in saidV grooves, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon Which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and including tivo shafts adapted to move the carriage at diderent rates of speed, and means operable at Will for connecting the carriage to one or the other of said shafts.

1l. The combination of a sound record disk provided With the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and including two intergea-red shafts adapted to move the carriage at different rates of speed, means operable at vvill for connecting the carriage to one or the other of said shafts and driving means acting on one of said shafts.

12. The combination of a sound record disk provided With the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating means operable at will for disconnecting said.

last named shaft from its driving means, and means for manually operating said shafts.

13. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon Which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carrie-.ge` is mounted for movement across the disk,1 mechanism' for moving the carriage in timed relationto the movement of the disk and includmgtivointergeared shafts adapted to move the carriage at different rates of speed, means operable atfvvill for connecting the carriage to one or the other of said shafts, driving means acting on one of saidy shafts and means operable. at will for disconnecting the carriage from said mechanism and permittingits manual movement across the disk.

lll. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves,arotat able table upon Which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a" carriage provided With a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and including two intergeared shafts adapted to move the carriage at different rates of speed, means operable at `will for connecting the carriage to one or the other of said shafts, driving means acting on one of said shafts, means operable at will for disconnecting said last named shaft from its driving means, means for manually operating said shafts and means operable at will for disconnecting the carriage from said mechanism and permitting its manual movement across the disk.

15. The combination of a sound record disk provided With the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk and mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk. Y Y

16. The combination of a sound record disk provided With the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and means for operating said mechanism from said table.

17. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table' upon which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the/disk, means for operating said mechanism from said table,means for disconnecting said mechanism from said operating means and-means for manually operating said mechanism.

18. The combination of a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, and a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves, ofra carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the 'carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and means-operable at VWill forconnecting or disconnecting the care riage relatively to saidmechanism, the carria'ge when disconnected being manually movable across the disk.

19. The combination of. a sound record disk provided with the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, and a tone Aarm having'a sound needle operating` in said grooves, of a carriage, a sup? port upon Which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the. movement of the disk, a transversely slidable plate mounted on the carriage and provided With a groove finding element, a stationary plate having a slot curved concentrically to the path of the sound needle in its movement across the disk and a guide piece carried by said slidable plate and engaging in said slot.

20. In combination, a sound record dislxP having the usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which the disk rests, a tone arm having a sound needle operating" in said grooves, a movable groove finding element, means to direct said element across the disk and means. to operate said element 'from said table including means for timing the move-- ment of said element to correspond to the rotation of the disk whereby said element is operative to indicate at any moment of the operation of the record the groove to he engaged by the sound needle in order that the playing of the record at any moment may be in the order of normal sequence.

21. The combination of a sound record disk provided Withthe usual sound grooves, a rotatable table upon which said disk rests, a tone arm having a sound needle operating in said grooves and a body supported centrally on said disk and rotated therewith, of a carriage provided with a groove finding element, a support upon which the carriage is mounted for movement across the disk, mechanism for moving the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the disk and including a gear element, a co-operating gear element engaging with said first gear element and provided upon said body, means for causing the groove finding element in its movement with the carriage to follow a path concentric to the path of the sound needle across the disk, said groove finding element being operative to indicate at any moment of the operation of the record the groove required to be engaged by the sound needle in order that the playing of the recordat any moment may be in the order of normal sequence, a bracket upon which the carriage support is mounted for horizontal and vertical swinging movement and normally acting yieldable means for urging the carriage support to a position in Which said first named gear element engages said second named gear element, said carriage support being movable against the influence of said yieldable means to effect the disengagement of said gear elements.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures.

BARNEY Y. PERKINS. BURT T. VVELLBORN. RICHARD W. STAR-KE. 

